Foot and ankle reconstructive surgery is performed to correct deformities or injuries of the foot or ankle. A surgeon uses reconstructive surgery to fix an injury, such as if the ligament needs to be repaired. The success of the surgery mainly depends on the skill of the surgeon. This is where Marque A. Allen DPM, FACFAS comes in handy.
Common ligament injury examples
Some common examples of a ligament injury include:
- An ankle sprain happens when the foot turns and the ligaments on the outside of the ankle stretch too far or tear. You may have a high ankle sprain if you injure your two ligaments that connect your tibia and fibula bones.
- A torn or ruptured Achilles tendon. This is the largest tendon in your body, connecting the calf muscle to the heel. This injury can happen suddenly with a forceful push-off or by jumping. It can also occur slowly over time with repeated stress to the tendon.
- A torn ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament deep within your knee joint caused by sudden changes in direction while running or doing sports activities, such as soccer or basketball.
What to expect during the surgery
The surgeon will first look at your ankle and foot images from an X-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, or ultrasound test. Then they will talk with you about what reconstruction surgery can do for you and how it can improve your life. Your doctor will talk about what type of reconstructive surgery might be best for you, how much it might cost and where it should take place. They will also explain the results you can expect from the surgery and any risks involved in having this operation done on your foot/ankle reconstruction both during surgery itself as well as after recovery from surgical treatment is complete.
What are the benefits of reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery corrects foot deformities that have developed over time from previous injuries or conditions such as arthritis
When conservative treatment fails to relieve severe symptoms caused by arthritis in your foot or ankle, you may need reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery can help repair damage to joints, remove loose fragments of bone or cartilage from a joint, smooth out a joint surface that has become uneven due to arthritis, or improve joint alignment. In some cases, reconstructive surgery can be recommended if you have developed a bunion causing pain. The doctors may also perform reconstructive surgery on children born with foot deformities such as clubfoot.
A podiatrist may use reconstructive surgery to treat congenital disabilities that impact the feet and ankles
Foot and ankle reconstructive surgery can correct foot and ankle conditions. Reconstructive surgery aims to provide stability, agility, and mobility. Often, this type of surgery is chosen after other treatments have failed. It may be necessary when the deformity causes significant pain or limits function in some cases.
Cosmetic purposes
Surgery can also be recommended for cosmetic purposes if the anomaly impacts appearance or causes embarrassment for children and adults alike. The most common surgical procedures for foot reconstruction include:
- Bone grafts
- Tendon lengthening
- Repairing tendons or ligaments that are not working properly
- Correcting bone deformities
Finally, foot and ankle reconstructive surgery can help improve function after an accident or alleviate the pain caused by structural problems. For more information, reach out to Sports Medicine Associate experts today!
